Dave Walder is to see a specialist in an effort to sort out his long-term hamstring problem.

And Newcastle manager Rob Andrew admitted Walder's injury is causing some concern after the England cap was ruled out of Sunday's Premiership clash against Sale at Kingston Park. Liam Botham will play at full-back with Jonny Wilkinson leading the side at fly half.

"David had another scan this week and we're sending him to see a specialist in Sheffield. It is a bit of worry and a concern that it's not right after two months.

"We have definitely missed him in recent weeks. Jamie Noon and Michael Stephenson arrived back from Hong Kong on Tuesday and are okay."

In-form Sale will be confident of laying to rest their record of never having won at Kingston Park, but they will be without forwards Apollo Perelini and Alex Sanderson, while Jason Robinson is doubtful with a stomach muscle injury.

Third-placed Sale defeated Newcastle 37-11 at Heywood Road in September in a match that was overshadowed by the the Falcons citing Sale flanker Peter Anglesea for allegedly gouging Jon Dunbar, and Andrew's "Albania" comments.

Anglesea was banned for a record 12 months - a punishment that was overturned on appeal.

Andrew, meanwhile, said that losing to Sale would be like the England football team being beaten by Albania, a comment made just a few days before Sven-Göran Eriksson's men defeated the Albanians in a World Cup qualifier at St James's Park. But Andrew doesn't expect any hangover from that match.

"I'm sure there will be a few wags who will have a few comments to make, but we haven't got time to get involved in that," he said.

"It's not an issue and we haven't got time to dwell on these things. We did what we felt we had to do with regard to Anglesea because we thought it was right. One tribunal thought we were right, another thought we weren't.

"It's not a problem. There's no hassle with Sale or Pete Anglesea. He's very welcome here whether he's playing or not. We'll just get on the with the game, as will Jon Dunbar, who is playing, and he hasn't got time to worry about going after Peter Anglesea; the game doesn't work like that.

"We've always had tough games against Sale, even when we won the title. We have always had really good games, always exciting and they have done really well this season. They are a really good side.

"They rebuilt their pack during the summer and they play a really good brand of football through Bryan Redpath, Charlie Hodgson and Jason Robinson and two good wingers.

"They've put together a very good game this season and that's why they are third in the table. They've been solid up front, produced good ball and a bit like us they try and play the game with pace and flair and skill and they're prepared to take chances."

After three big defeats away from home, Andrew concedes it's a must-win game for Newcastle and, significantly, none of the five players who are retiring or leaving the club at the end of the season have been named in the starting line-up.

"It is a massive game for us, a really significant game. We haven't played at home for two months and we have had three losses on the road. We are picking a side which we think is very much the future of this club," added Andrew.

"We have some massive games at the end of the season in terms of European qualification. We've got Leicester away in fortnight's time and we need the confidence boost of a good performance and good win.

"We're expecting a good crowd because we haven't been at home for while and it's important to show people that we are on the right track."

Robinson will have a fitness test on Sunday morning and Sale coach Jim Mallinder said: "Jason is improving with every day and we are reasonably hopeful that he will be able to start, and Charlie Hodgson is definitely back to fitness, but we will be without Apollo Perelini and Alex Sanderson in the pack. We have never won at Kingston Park. You could say that we were humiliated up there last season in both cup and league so we will be looking for a much-improved performance.

"It will be a very difficult game. Jonny Wilkinson is in outstanding form and very influential. Added to that, Newcastle have a very good line-out and that's an area where we were destroyed last season."

Johnstone has a contract with the Italian Rugby Federation (IRF) until after the 2003 World Cup, but he has not had the full support of the IRF this season.

Speculation is rife in Italian rugby circles that the IRF will discuss Johnstone's future after the England game on April 7. He said: "I will evaluate the situation after the Six Nations."